Method for localized surface treatment of metal component by diffusion alloying

A method for treating a portion of a metal component having a width, a thickness and a length by diffusion alloying, which method comprises:

• (a) providing a container having:
• (i) at least one open end;
• (ii) a width that is greater than the width of the portion of the metal component to be treated;
• (iii) a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the portion of the metal component to be treated;
• and
• (iv) a depth that is greater than the length of the portion of the metal component to be treated;
• (b) placing the portion of the metal component to be treated in the container while allowing a portion of the metal component that is not to be treated to protrude from the container;
• (c) placing a heat-activated alloying powder in the container around the portion of the component to be treated in a layer that extends along the length of the portion of the component to be treated;
• (d) placing a non-oxidizing powder in the container adjacent to the alloying powder and around the metal component in a layer that extends to an open end of the container;
• (e) providing a cap for each open end of the container, which cap is adapted to seal the container around the metal component except for gases which are produced in diffusion alloying;
• (f) providing a furnace that is adapted to heat the portion of the metal component to be treated to activate the alloying powder;
• (g) placing the container with the portion of the metal component to be treated therein in the furnace;
• (h) operating the furnace to heat the portion of the metal component in the container to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause diffusion alloying of the portion of the metal component to be treated by the alloying powder.